I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women who Changed America

by Brian Lanker (Photographer)

Featuring a foreword by Maya Angelou, a newly revised and updated tenth anniversary edition celebrates the achievements of an extraordinary group of African-American women who have had an ongoing effect on our world, from Septima Clark and Barbara Jordan to Clara McBride and Betty Shabazz.

Genres: History, Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Feminism, Biography, Womens

171 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave several of these books away as presents in 1989, when it was published. I dusted it off and looked at it again as I read a kid comics version., Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, which purports to do the same thing, but with kids as an audience. Lanker spent time extensively photographing these women, choosing one photograph for a facing page against which is a text composed based on hours of oral history interviewing. A powerful and gorgeous book I recommend.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biographical collection of portraits celebrating Black Women who shaped America, strove for their dreams, and refused to toe the line in the face of adversity and discrimination. Their faces, and their words share with us a wisdom of life thoroughly lived. Their stories give us all a glimpse of the past on which we may contemplate, and take as inspiration for the future.

An excerpt from the forward by Maya Angelou: ...This foreword does not mean to be an explanation of the Black woman's stamina. Rather, it is a salute to her as an outstanding representative of the human race. Here, in this book, educators, athletes, dancers, judges, politicians, artists, actresses, writers, singers, poets, and social activists dare to look at life with humor, determination, and respect...

...Despite their majestic struggle they are not larger than life. Their humanness is evident in their accessibility. We are able to enter the photographs and enter into the spirit of these women and rejoice in their courage and nearness.

Interviews are in order as follows:

Rose Parks
Janet Collins
Eva Jessye
Bertha Knox Gilkey
Alice Walker
Cicely Tyson
Katherine Dunham
Barbara Jordan
Toni Morrison
Althea T.L. Simmons
Maxine Waters
Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Norma Merrick Sklarek
Gwendolyn Brooks
Leontyne Price
Althea Gibson
Ernestine Anderson
Unita Blackwell
Jewel Plummer Cobb
Clara McBride Hale
Ellen Stewart
Beah Richards
Carrie Saxon Perry
Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Constance Baker Motley
Oprah Winfrey
Sonia Sanchez
Georgia Montgomery Davis Powers
Daisy Bates
Marve Nettles Collins
Lena Horne
Willie Mae Ford Smith
Coretta Scott King
Jewell Jackson McCabe
Mary Frances Berry
Ruby Middleton Forsythe
Jean Blackwell Hutson
Anna Arnold Hedgeman
Johnnie Tillmon
Myrlie Evers
Faye Wattleton
Angela Yvonne Davis
Betty Shabazz
Queen Mother Audley Moore
Harriet Elizabeth Byrd
Shirley Chisholm
Wyomia Tyus
Ruby Dee
Leontine T. C. Kelly
Margaret Walker Alexander
Rachel Robinson
Gloria Dean Randle Scott
Marian Wright Edelman
Elizabeth Catlett
Jackie Torrence
Autherine Lucy
Alexa Canady
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
Dorothy Irene Height
Sarah Vaughan
Josephine Riley Matthews
Niara Sudarkasa
Wilma Rudolph
Odetta
Cora Lee Johnson
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Ophelia DeVore-Mitchell
Sherian Grace Cadoria
Priscilla L. Williams
Leah Chase
Elizabeth Cotten
Marian Anderson
Winson and Dovie Hudson
Maya Angelou
Septima Poinsette Clark


I
am a black woman
tall as a cypress
strong
beyond all definition still
defying place
and time
and circumstance
assailed
impervious
indestructible
Look
on me and be
renewed

--From "I Am a Black Woman"
Mari Evans

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book will always hold a special place in my heart because 1) it's wonderful to see so many images of strong black women, both well known and unknown, and 2) the morning that i saw this exhibit was the morning that i decided to get sober (Nov. '90 when i made that decision, Nov. '92 when i made it stick). the biographies in this book were heavily leaned on by me during my journey to get and stay clean, as one of the things i was struggling with was my identity as a Black woman.

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a recent trip east to see my folks, my twin sister Audrey and I visited the Smithsonian Institute's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Rounding a corner towards the special exhibits, what to my wondering eyes did appear but selected photos from Brian Lanker's 1989 work, I DREAM A WORLD: PORTRAITS OF BLACK WOMEN WHO CHANGED AMERICA. My husband had bought me a copy of that book soon after its publication, and it quickly became one of my most prized possessions--rendered all the more valuable with an autograph from Constance Baker Motley, when that venerable federal court judge visited the law school at which I was working as a secretary, in 1993.

The exhibit featured Judge Motley's photo, as well as portraits of some of my childhood icons, including: civil rights activist Coretta Scott King (a face nearly as familiar as Mom's, to any Black American child in the 1960s); Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph (an early idol of mine--I wanted to run like her); film and stage star Lena Horne (who resembled my beloved, and equally glamorous, maternal grandmother, Ann Smiley Bryant); and opera diva Leontyne Price (whose nephews, Bill and Bobby, were high school mates of mine). Coming upon that exhibit was like meeting an old friend that I wasn't expecting to see--an obvious highlight of my trip.

So, of course, when I returned home, I had to re-read the book. Most of those heroines are gone now; nevertheless, I, and my mother, and my twin sister, and my daughter, and so many others are here, carrying on their legacies, every day.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure personality leaps from these pages.

Leontyne Price:

"I don't love anything more than hearing my own voice. It's a personal adoration."

This was my favorite profile.

"Listening to my recordings is like filling your pores with inspiration, and where better to get it from than yourself..."

!

"The way I was taught, being black was a plus, always. Being a human being, being in America, and being black, all three were the greatest things that could happen to you. The combination was unbeatable."

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically a coffee table book, but every time I pick it up, I find myself reading it from cover to cover. There's only a one page bio for each person profiled, which sometimes feels inadequate, but the photographs are amazing.

[Carole Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Women's History Month and this book is a fine way to spend time with these extraordinary women. Some have since passed since this book was published in 1989, but hearing about their lives in their own words is still wonderful. This is a book to be picked up often or when you need a "lift". For most of these women, life was never "easy", but fore filling nonetheless. Take some time to meet them!!

[Tami Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have had this book forever and a day. Reading this book has inspired me is so many ways. for those who will read this wonderful, inspiring book...enjoy! These black women gives a hope, especially now in these time we live in.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many inspiring women, I encourage everyone to read about these women.

[Lauren]

We had this book in my house as a kid and I’d look at it all the time. An important document.

[Dave Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

powerful and inspiring.

[Augusta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. Bought in 1989 and it continues to be one of my favorites. Like Dorothea Lange, Brian Lanker can capture faces in an amazing way -- so glad they produced an updated version.

[Mary Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is beautiful in every way. Inspiring words and stories from women who have shaped America.

[Vanessa Beavers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I geag this beautiful book again because my spirit need to 'see' happy, beautiful Black Women. I'm feeling better.

[Charlene McCurdy]

An incredible way to meet the black women who changed America... so many women I knew nothing about, but have learned to respect and honor thanks to this book. A beautiful forward by Maya Angelou.

[Judie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing book. a must have in your personal library

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has the most amazing portait photography. That's why I got it in the first place. These women were infulential in many different ways, and it was very interesting to read about their lives and contributions.

[Mozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother bought me this book when I was very young. Too young to appreciate what I had. I abused the book, but I read each passage, not really understanding what each woman on each page had done for other generations black women. I have it, I should pull it out again and read it.

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

good stuff, generally.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need another volume. A truly great gift & coffee table book!

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful b&w photographs coupled with personal statements from a variety of ground-breaking women. Very inspiring.

[Sandra Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All-time favorite, loving portraits of important women of color, shown with dignity and pride and beauty. Not often the case.

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully photographed and continues the history of Blacks in America.

[Alyscia Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice images!

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos. I looked at the photos and read the summary of who they are/were; skimmed a couple of the essays.

[Valarie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The details of this book bring to life the marvelous works done by these African-American women. Many are the things that of been suffered, many are the things that have been achieved. This is a book of encouragement to fight the good fight and make your mark on the world.